Abstract
health literacy (HL) is a key determinant of health outcomes, influencing individuals' ability to access, understand, and use health information for appropriate decision-making. In urology, HL plays an important role in the prevention, early detection, and management of diseases such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urolithiasis. This narrative review examines the relationship between health literacy and urological health outcomes based on literature from 2020 to 2026. A systematic search was conducted in international (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) and regional databases, as well as WHO reports. The findings demonstrate that higher health literacy is associated with increased participation in preventive behaviors, improved screening uptake (including PSA testing), better understanding of treatment options, and earlier disease diagnosis. In contrast, limited health literacy is linked to delayed healthcare-seeking behavior, lower screening participation, and poorer clinical outcomes. Digital health literacy is identified as an emerging factor that both improves access to health information and increases exposure to misinformation. The review highlights health literacy as both an individual and structural determinant of urological health and emphasizes the need for targeted educational and healthcare interventions, particularly in regions with limited access to health information.